Take 5 or more

I made a version of these for a friend over the spring and she fell in love.  She also said they were similar to a Take 5 bar, I've never had one so I have to take her word for it.  However, whatever the name I'm not sure you can stop taking at 5.  These may seem hard to make at first glance but really they are easy and so delicious.  Try one or 5 today :)

Pretzels - I like the square shaped ones

Favorite dipping chocolate, I use Chocoley Bada Bing Bada Boom Enrobing

Caramels - homemade or store bought (Peter's)

2 cups sugar

2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup butter

2 cups heavy cream, split

In saucepan, stir together, on medium-high heat, the sugar; syrup; butter; and 1 cup heavy cream.  After 5 mins wash down sides with a pastry brush and a little water.  Place candy thermometer in pan and boil until 244*F is reached.  Stir in last cup of heavy cream.  Be careful it will boil furiously.  Return to a boil and bring to 241*F.  Pour into foil lined and greased 9X13" pan.  Cool.

 

Peanut butter Fudge:

1 cup butter

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 tsp maple extract

1 lb powdered sugar

In saucepan, melt the butter and the peanut butter.  Remove from heat and stir in the extract and powdered sugar.  Pour into a foil lined and greased 8" square pan.  Cool.

Make the caramel and fudge the morning you wish to make these candies.  In the evening (I made my caramel at 8am and put the candies together at 7pm) get everything together and start making the candies.

Cut your fudge and caramels into squares the same size or slightly smaller than your pretzel.  On a foil covered baking sheet lay out the pretzels, top with fudge piece and top that with caramel.  The easiest way to do the caramel is to flatten it so that it is thin and will cover the fudge, lay it over the fudge and gently press it into the pretzel so it "holds" together for dipping.  I do the whole pan this way and then dip so the chocolate doesn't harden on me.  Melt your chocolate according to package directions and dip.  Let harden completely and eat or store if you must :)